Role of the mutualistic fungus in lignin degradation in the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes gilvus (Isoptera; Macrotermitinae)
Hyodo, F.; Inoue, T.; Azuma, J.I.; Tayasu, I.; Abe, T.
Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32(5): 653-658
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-0717 DOI: 10.1016/s0038-0717(99)00192-3
Accession: 003551987
The role of the mutualistic fungus Termitomyces sp. in the fungus-growing termite, Macrotermes gilvus, was investigated using CP/MAS 13C NMR, and proximate analyses of fungus comb of different ages and degrees of maturation were selected. Lignin degradation took place progressively in the fungus comb. In vitro digestibility of cellulose in old fungus comb, on which the termites feed, was approx. 3-fold higher than that in the fresh part.